Human Rights Officer, Kitgum, Uganda

Closing Date: Sunday, 20 June 2010 Human Rights Officer, P-3
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:	20 Jun 2010
DATE OF ISSUANCE:	21 Apr 2010
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:	Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
DUTY STATION:	UGA - Other cities
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:	10-HRI-OHCHR-424323-R-UGA - OTHER CITIES

Priority consideration for vacancies at the P3 level will be given to internal candidates and candidates who have passed a competitive examination. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Remuneration Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity Responsibilities This post is located in the Uganda Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Kitgum. Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Uganda (OHCHR Uganda) and the direct supervision of the Deputy Head of Office/Field Coordinator, the District Human Rights Officer (HRO) will carry out the following tasks and responsibilities: Monitor, analyse and report on human rights developments in the district/region; Prepare incident reports as required and promptly submit them to the headquarters through the Field Coordinator; Conduct training on human rights monitoring, reporting and advocacy for Uganda Human Rights Commission, NGOs, UN agencies and Government officials at the district level; Support district/regional level structures for promotion and protection of human rights, especially the regional Office of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC); Establish and maintain regular contacts with local authorities aimed at securing respect for human rights and accountability for human rights violations, especially with UHRC; Establish and maintain contacts with UN agencies and local and international NGOs to share information and coordinate strategizing on human rights issues; Organize, contribute and carry out human rights promotion activities (training, workshops, seminars) on behalf of OHCHR Uganda, in cooperation with Uganda Human Rights Commission, UN agencies, national and international NGOs; Represent OHCHR Uganda at working level meetings with local authorities, UN agencies, and NGOs; Ensure the integration of gender perspectives and attention to specific women/girl's rights issues within all human rights activities; Provide input into the work plan for the operations; Provide input into weekly, monthly, legal systems and ad hoc/special issue reports, as well as any other reports requested by the Field Coordinator; Carry out administrative and logistical tasks as requested by the Field Coordinator; Perform other duties as required by the Head of Office and/or Field Coordinator. Supervise and coordinate activities of the national personal of the District Office. Competencies Professionalism: Good knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues, to include approaches and techniques to address sensitive problems. Good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights. Ability to identify problems, i.e., political, ethnic, racial, gender, social, economic, etc, causing civil unrest in a country or geographic area; good analytical and research skills, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the human rights situation in assigned region/country. Sound knowledge and understanding of UN human rights instruments and procedures essential. Excellent demonstrated political judgment and sensitivity. Experience in working independently with minimal supervision in remote locations and as part of a small team in hardship conditions. Communication: Good communication (spoken, written and presentational) skills, including the ability to produce a variety of written reports in a clear, concise style to external audiences, to build/maintain effective partnerships. Planning and Organizing: Ability to establish priorities and to plan work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines, preparing expenditure requests and monitoring expenditure against budget allocation. Teamwork: Proven interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Accountability: Monitoring progress and reporting to the Unit Coordinator taking action to minimize delays, identifying and drawing to management attention potential cost overruns and underspends.Technology awareness: Good computer skills, including proficiency in word processing. QUALIFICATIONS Education Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in law, political science, international relations or other disciplines related to human rights. Work Experience At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in field and/or headquarters locations at national and international levels in the human rights field, including in the cause and resolution of human rights conflicts in accordance with international standards. Languages Fluency in English, with excellent communication skills and drafting ability. Knowledge of another UN official language would be an asset. Other Skills The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. How to apply All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password.  After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reports to the relevant HRO/PO via fax. E-mail: hrms@unog.ch, Fax: 41-22-917- 0074 Please see the Frequently Asked Questions, if you encounter problems when applying.